Update on the Future of ROH/New Japan iPPV, Top Japanese Star Opens Cancer Charity, Konnan to Undergo Surgery

Konnan to Undergo Hip Replacement

Konnan, who has wrestled for all the major U.S. promotions of the past 20 years (WWF, WCW, ECW, TNA) will be having his left hip replaced next week, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He’s apparently needed to get to the work done for some time now, but has been waiting until after AAA’s TripleMania event – their biggest show of the year – which takes place this Sunday.

Update on Future of iPPV

There has been a lot of talk about the future of iPPV recently, as major online distributor uStream recently announced that they would be closing down their distribution of the iPPV after September. Both Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling have run their shows on uStream, and found a lot more success than other similar websites that have produced nothing but headaches for the promotions. ROH will be using a third party to handle the actual streaming of their future shows, but will remain on uStream as a viewing platform. The word going around is that New Japan is also looking into using the same company, so that their shows can continue to be broadcast in the U.S.

“The Rainmaker Foundation”

Kazuchika Okada, this year’s G1 Climax tournament winner, has announced the start of “The Rainmaker Foundation”. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has pledged to donate $300 every time he wins a match with his Rainmaker signature maneuver (a short-arm lariat). All proceeds will go towards a children’s cancer charity.